Houses of Parliament the Houses of Parliament, Otherwise Known As The

Home , Jewel Tower, Palace of Westminster, Whitehall

PRUEBAS DE ACCESO A LA UNIVERSIDAD PARA MAYORES DE 25 AÑOS. 2011

INGLÉS. CÓDIGO 102

The Houses of Parliament, otherwise known as the Palace of Westminster, stand on the site where Edward the Confessor had the original palace built in the first half of the 11th century. In 1547 the royal residence was moved to Whitehall Palace, but the Lords continued to meet at Westminster, while the Commons met in St. Stephen’s Chapel. Ever since these early times, the Palace of Westminster has been home to the English Parliament. In 1834 a fire broke out which destroyed much of the old palace, and all that remained was the chapel crypt, the Jewel Tower, and Westminster Hall. It was Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister, who saved the great hall by having the fire engines brought into the hall and personally supervising the fire fighting operation. The new palace was rebuilt between 1837 and 1888, with the laying of its cornerstone in 1840. The two imposing towers, well-known landmarks in London, are the Clock Tower, actually called St. Stephen’s Tower, but more commonly known as Big Ben, and Victoria Tower, on whose flag pole the Union Jack flies when parliament is sitting. Westminster Hall, with its impressive hammer beam roof of oak, is one of the most imposing medieval halls in Europe. In this noble setting coronation banquets were held until 1821. It was used as England’s highest court of law until the 19th century and it was here that Guy Fawkes was tried for attempting to blow up the House of Lords on 5th Nov. 1605.

I. Reading comprehension. Choose the correct answer. Only one answer is correct. [Total: 25% (5x5% each)]

1. From the information in the text, A. Whitehall Palace is another name for the Houses of Parliament. B. the Palace of Westminster was built during the reign of Edward the Confessor. C. the Palace of Westminster became home to the English Parliament in 1547.

2. According to the text, A. a great fire burnt down the whole of the Palace in 1834. B. the 1834 fire destroyed the Jewel Tower, Westminster Hall, and the chapel crypt. C. the Jewel Tower and the crypt were not destroyed by the 1834 fire.

3. Choose the correct statement: A, B, or C. A. The Prime Ministered ordered the introduction of the fire engines into the Hall in order to put out the fire. B. Lord Melbourne, following the instructions of the Prime Minister, supervised the fire fighting operation. C. Lord Melbourne supervised the works which saved the chapel crypt, the Jewel Tower, and Westminster Hall from the fire. 4. The works for the reconstruction of the Palace A. took 51 years, from 1837 to 1888. B. took 48 years, from 1840 to 1888. C. began in 1840, with the lying down of its first stone.

5. When parliament is sitting, A. the Union Jack flies on St. Stephen’s Tower’s flag pole. B. the Union Jack flies on Victoria Tower’s flag pole. C. the Union Jack flies on the Clock Tower’s flag pole.

II. Grammar and use of English. Answer the following questions. Be careful to follow the instructions for each question. [Total: 35%]

1. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense. Write the correct form of the verb on your answer sheet. [7.5% (3x2.5% each)]

1.1. The Palace’s site, on the banks of the river Thames, _____ (be) strategically important during the Middle Ages. 1.2. _____ (know) in medieval times as Thorney Island, the site may have been first-used for a royal residence by King Canute the Great (1016-1035). 1.3. The oldest existing part of the Palace, Westminster Hall, _____ (date) from the reign of William I's successor, King William II.

2. Complete the short text with 3 adequate words. Write the words on your answer sheet. [7.5% (3x2.5% each)]

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Its name may refer to _____ of two structures: the Old Palace, a medieval complex _____ of which was destroyed in 1834, or its replacement, the New Palace. It has retained its original style and status as a royal residence _____ ceremonial purposes.

3. Rewrite the following sentences. Write the complete new sentences on your answer sheet. [10% (2x5% each)]

3.1. An incendiary bomb destroyed the House of Commons in 1941. The House of Commons ______. 3.2. In 1987 the Palace of Westminster was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace of Westminster ______.

4. Vocabulary. Pick the odd word out and write it on your answer sheet. [10% (2x5% each)] 4.1. palace chapel church cathedral 4.2. king monarch pope prince

III. Writing. Answer questions 1 and 2 below. Express your ideas by using your own words. Write between 40 and 50 words for each question. [Total: 40% (2x20% each)]

1. What do you think about the monarchy? 2. Name one or two famous monuments in the UK and say why you like or dislike them.